New Zealand Government Decides Loot Boxes Aren’t Gambling

Different countries have arrived at different conclusions regarding loot boxes, but the New Zealand government has now ruled that loot boxes are not gambling. The New Zealand Department for Internal Affairs said in a letter to Gamasutra and licensing compliance manager Trish Millward:

“While the payment of money for a loot box with the contents of which are determined by chance may appear to be gambling, the Department is of the view that loot boxes do not meet the legal definition of gambling.”

Millward went on to say that New Zealanders are free to gamble online with overseas gambling providers and that the Department has no authority to regulate loot boxes under current legislation.

Though the New Zealand government’s stance seems pretty clear, the letter went on to say it will “continue to follow the international discussion around loot boxes.”